Softel and TSS offer end-to-end testing environment for interactive TV applications | 28th October 2009 |
Softel and Telecommunications Support Services (TSS) have announced a joint initiative to offer comprehensive testing services for developers of interactive television applications, based on the integration of Softel’s MediaSphere platform with the TSS test suite.
Available as a rental service from TSS, the test environment, complete with the industry-leading MediaSphere interactive television playout platform, provides a fully featured broadcast-ready lab rig with head-end equipment and conditional access systems from multiple vendors, and a range of set-top boxes. Application designers can use the service for rigorous verification of EBIF and OCAP/tru2way applications, avoiding the need to invest in their own equipment, while ensuring maximum robustness and compatibility in the test environment’s accurate simulation of real-world conditions. Full support and guidance is available from TSS and Softel as part of the service.
MediaSphere enables parallel playout of multiple middleware platforms from a single unit, and provides compatibility with the major US and international standards, allowing developers to test applications for deployment anywhere in the world while optimizing their test cycles by playing out concurrently over several different formats.
“TSS is a recognized leading provider of testing and certification, and we are proud that MediaSphere has been selected to enable their clients to take the next step with their interactive television offerings,” says Ed Humphrey, president, Softel-USA. “MediaSphere is well established as the premier enabling platform for value-added interactivity across the spectrum of global digital television delivery standards. This agreement is a further endorsement of Softel’s leadership and expertise in this space.”
“We pride ourselves on delivering comprehensive test and certification services and expertise to our clients across a diverse range of technologies,” says Jeff Cohen, director of business development and program management at TSS. “Interactive television offers content producers and broadcasters a great opportunity to differentiate themselves from the competition, encouraging loyalty and adding value. MediaSphere enables us to round out our offering with its flexible, scalable platform and seamless integration.”
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Softel CEO Sam Pemberton Presents Strategies for SME Success at IABM Conference | 24th November 2009 |
Softel CEO Sam Pemberton will join other senior figures in the SME (small and medium enterprise) sector of the broadcast industry to present strategies for success in difficult economic conditions at the 2009 IABM conference. The theme of this year's conference is “Survival of the fittest — improving business performance through change!” It will explore the changes enterprises have to make in a low-growth market and look at ways in which companies are re-engineering their businesses for optimal performance.
Sessions explore key issues such as developing and delivering on strategic vision, aligning products and services to customer need, focusing effectively on winnable deals, improving the customer experience and having maximum impact marketing.
Scheduled for Friday, December 4th at 11:15, the SME workshop will allow attendees to assess their business against the templates set out by the panel contributors, as well as sharing and debating key points and experiences.
“SMEs are typically agile and this trait serves them well in an adverse business climate,” says Sam Pemberton, Softel CEO. “Softel has managed to remain competitive in the current recession by recognising and reacting quickly to important changes in customer behaviour such as the ‘de-skilling’ of engineering departments and the migration of decision making processes to purchasing department.”
Pemberton will outline how Softel has focused on key areas, including maintaining a constant awareness of changing customer requirements; developing technology partnerships that deliver the kind of complete solutions customers are seeking for easy integration into existing infrastructure; making exceptional ROI and cost-effectiveness as prominent in the value proposition as functionality; and crucially, ensuring that customer service is of the highest possible standard.
“Our 25 years in the broadcast technology industry, and our experience serving clients such as BBC, ESPN, Time Warner Cable and Turner, have given Softel a good perspective not only on how to survive in tough times, but also on how to thrive in a shifting economy,” Pemberton added.
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Ensequence to Resell Softel MediaSphere as part of its iTV Manager™ Solution | 22nd October 2009 |
Softel today announced that Ensequence has become a reseller for Softel’s MediaSphere interactive TV platform in the United States. Ensequence will resell MediaSphere as part of the Ensequence iTV Manager solution, which scales iTV by allowing Ensequence customers to manage a high volume of iTV deployments.
Softel’s MediaSphere is a reliable and cost-effective interactive TV application playout solution that enables rapid testing and easy playout of a large number of interactive TV applications, with fast access to verification of successful playout. A scalable solution that supports multiple platforms and formats, MediaSphere supports a broad range of interactive applications from advanced, interactive advertising to enhanced news information and entertainment programming.
“Softel is an ideal partner for us, with its extensive expertise in interactive television and the flexibility offered by the firm’s MediaSphere platform,” says Kevin Hurst, Ensequence Director of Product Management. “Our partnership enables Ensequence to offer best-of-breed turnkey solutions to our customers looking to scale their iTV deployments.”
Ensequence’s interactive TV solution includes a redundant system for streaming interactive applications and signaling over Gigabit Ethernet in parallel with the live system, and Softel “overseer” controlling failover between servers, delivering complete reliability for Ensequence and Softel customers.
“With this partnership, we’re very excited to strengthen and extend our relationship with Ensequence, who is a leader in delivering interactive television solutions,” says Sam Pemberton, Softel CEO.
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Softel vFlex HD Integrates With Harmonic Electra® 7000 | 28th September 2009 |
The Softel Group announced today that ahead of the official launch of the vFlex HD single unit, multipurpose ancillary data inserter at IBC2009, it has collaborated with Harmonic to verify OP47 and SMPTE2031 insertion with Harmonic Inc.’s (NASDAQ: HLIT) DiviCom Electra® 7000 MPEG-4 AVC HD encoder.
This integration provides a turnkey solution to system integrators and broadcasters. The solution enables the insertion of Teletext subtitles or even full Teletext services into any HD service and ensures complete compatibility with other elements of the transmission chain and receivers. This swiftly enables users to benefit from the high quality that HD or other premium services provide.
The Softel vFlex provides a complete solution for ancillary VBI and VANC data insertion, including VPS and WSS, opt cue encoding and decoding, and uniquely animated or static graphics such as clock and tickers.
“vFlex offers an extremely cost-effective and flexible platform for ancillary data processing, and with the launch of our new HD version we now offer a complete SD and HD processing platform. The Softel integration with Harmonic — a leader in video delivery solutions — validates a turnkey solution and serves as a reference for anyone requiring data insertion via OP47 or SMPTE2031,” says Darren Forster, Softel CTO.
“Previously, there was no easy and scalable workflow for an operator to generate a Teletext data stream as part of their HD services,” says Elie Sader, Product Marketing Manager at Harmonic Inc. “Embedding data in VANC is vastly superior because it allows seamless dataflow through all video routing and processing elements in the plant and all the way to the encoder, while alleviating any timing constraints. The VANC mechanism is also agnostic to the data type and can be expanded to DVB subtitles or any other data that needs to be inserted into a PID in the Transport Stream.”
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Softel Swift vTX now available in Grab Networks video server solution | 13th November 2009 |
Softel and online video specialists Grab Networks have announced a partnership for Grab to supply the Softel Swift vTX subtitling and captioning solution as an integrated component of Grab Networks video server solutions. With integrated solutions already deployed in the field, Swift vTX software provides highly efficient integration of subtitling into the file-based workflow of the Grab server for subtitle and caption encoding/transcoding across a variety of output and file formats, including open, Line 21, DVB and streaming VoD.
“Grab Networks invented process automation for non-linear media production,” says Jim Duval, Director of Product Management at Grab Networks. “Our recently released Agility 2G system automates best-in-class media processing technologies into seamless, customizable workflows. Softel with Swift vTX delivers a technology that seamlessly integrates with our solutions, offering a broad range of format support and the dynamic workflows that our customers enjoy. The two organizations enjoy a great relationship and the expertise Softel bring to the table is first class.”
“Grab Networks really understands that they are delivering not just a technology platform, but a business driver for their content providers,” says Sam Pemberton, Softel CEO. “We’re delighted to partner with them, providing our expertise in subtitling and captioning to round out their solutions, which in turn maximizes the audience for the content providers.”
Swift vTX is the leading solution for encoding, transcoding, extracting and reinserting subtitles, captions and ancillary data on video server assets. SD and HD compatible, Swift vTX provides high performance, flexibility, seamless integration with workflow systems and ‘at a glance’ management, while significantly reducing operational costs.
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Softel Launches vFlex HD, A Compact VBI, VANC and Graphics Processing Platform | 18th August 2009 |
Softel today announced the launch of the vFlex HD, a multipurpose ancillary VBI, VANC and graphics data
processing unit for HD and SD broadcast applications. vFlex HD, complementing the highly successful vFlex
SD and offering the same functionality, provides a compact, single-unit solution for multichannel configurations
and highly complex multi-event cuing and opting, enabling network operators to better service client demands for flexible regional broadcasting and targeted advertising.
vFlex HD encodes, decodes, re-encodes and regenerates vertical blanking interval (VBI) content including
widescreen signalling (WSS), Video Programming System (VPS), cuing, Teletext, subtitling, video index and
PDC signals. This gives broadcasters and network operators the flexibility to implement and integrate new
services, reusing the original source ancillary data or accurately inserting replacement data, with the minimum of effort and cost. Support for OP47 and SMPTE 2031 encoding and decoding for HD-SDI means that vFlex HD can insert subtitling and other information services into the HD video path, allowing self-contained and easily portable media assets containing ancillary data to be created, and streamlining workflows.
vFlex HD uniquely combines these functions with encoding of animated or stationary logos and CG clocks
under manual or automation control, and the output of ‘Key & Fill’ signals for downstream mixers, allowing
the insertion of graphics without a dedicated character generator. These CG functions additionally provide g
eneration of SD and HD open subtitles — especially useful for cost-conscious broadcasters.
“vFlex HD brings together the collected expertise of our years developing and deploying data inserters,
cue encoders and subtitling character generators, into a highly versatile and powerful new platform,” says
Sam Pemberton, Softel CEO. “vFlex HD’s multipurpose design helps reduce running and maintenance costs, with its 1U low-power consumption design and optimised power management features. Integrated with other Softel solutions, such as Cyclone Teletext generators and Swift subtitle transmission units, vFlex HD truly is the most flexible and powerful ancillary data inserter available today.”
Broadcast-ready with dual power supplies, network interface cards (NICs) and timecode reading, vFlex HD offers robust functionality and low maintenance demands. Web-based remote management, configuration and control, combined with Network, Serial and GPI interfaces, make vFlex HD easy to integrate with any infrastructure and deploy in large scale, high density installations. A simple custom designed front panel with quick access buttons allows for rapid local access to configuration and control functions, which along with independent monitoring output, further eases management and helps ensure a high quality of service.
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The Mill, London, Relies on Softel Swift vTX to Manage Subtitle Content with Efficient File-Based Workflow | 30th June 2009 |
READING, England
30 June 2009
The Mill, London, has chosen Softel’s Swift vTX subtitling system for a new file-based platform at its market-leading advertising post production department. The award-winning London VFX facility has migrated from a traditional encoding process to a streamlined multi-format workflow based on a close integration between Swift vTX and The Mill’s Omneon video servers.
The insertion of both Teletext and on-screen logo content into video assets is a key workflow task for The Mill’s Adtext team, a leading provider of subtitling for advertising productions. Softel engineers provided project advice and custom integration with Omneon to create an efficient, easy-to-use solution, with software encoding replacing the previous hardware-based method. Adtext team operators can now easily associate subtitle files with video assets on the server, adding Teletext subtitles and optionally on-screen logos to MPEG video, and previewing the encoded files direct from the video server.
“We have been impressed not only by the technology that Softel was able to offer us, but also its whole approach to understanding how the solution would integrate with our processes and server platform,” says Miles Stormer,
Head of MCR and External Facilities. “The continuing support we receive from Softel is excellent, and we are reaping the benefits both in efficiency and the lower costs of a streamlined subtitling operation with Swift vTX.”
Swift vTX is a member of the well established end-to-end Swift subtitle/caption family. Swift vTX provides a complete framework of applications to manage the manual or automated encoding, transcoding and extraction of multi-format subtitle content onto file-based video assets. The solution has also been deployed at high profile installations around the world including Turner Broadcasting’s new London facility and Canal Plus in France.
“It’s been a pleasure working together with our video server partner, Omneon, to deliver a jointly-developed solution for The Mill,” said Sam Pemberton, Softel CEO. “The new workflow has dramatically increased the productivity of subtitling operations there, and we are proud to have made an important contribution to the continuing success of this world-leading facility.”
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Softel vFlex HD Integrates with Harmonic Electra 7000 for OP47, SMPTE Data Insertion | 8th September 2009 |
The Softel Group announced today that ahead of the official launch of the vFlex HD single unit, multi-purpose ancillary data inserter at IBC2009, it has collaborated with Harmonic to verify OP47 and SMPTE2031 insertion with Harmonic Inc.’s (NASDAQ: HLIT) DiviCom Electra® 7000 MPEG-4 AVC HD encoder .
This integration provides a turnkey solution to system integrators and broadcasters. The solution enables the insertion of teletext subtitles or even full teletext services into any HD service and ensures complete compatibility with other elements of the transmission chain and receivers. This swiftly enables users to benefit from the high quality that HD or other premium services provide.
The Softel vFlex provides a complete solution for ancillary VBI and VANC data insertion, including VPS and WSS, opt cue encoding and decoding, and uniquely animated or static graphics such as clock and tickers.
“vFlex offers an extremely cost-effective and flexible platform for ancillary data processing, and with the launch of our new HD version we now offer a complete SD and HD processing platform. The Softel integration with Harmonic — a leader in video delivery solutions — validates a turnkey solution and serves as a reference for anyone requiring data insertion via OP47 or SMPTE2031,” says Darren Forster, Softel CTO.
“Previously, there was no easy and scalable workflow for an operator to generate a Teletext data stream as part of their HD services,” says Elie Sader, Product Marketing Manager at Harmonic Inc. “Embedding data in VANC is vastly superior because it allows seamless dataflow through all video routing and processing elements in the plant, all the way to the encoder, while alleviating any timing constraints. The VANC mechanism is also agnostic to the data type and can be expanded to DVB subtitles or any other data that needs to be inserted into a PID in the Transport Stream.”
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Softel Group Divests Aston Broadcast Video Graphics Business | 3rd August 2009 |
The Softel Group announced today that it is selling its video graphics
systems company Aston Broadcast, Limited for an undisclosed fee to real time graphics specialist Brainstorm Multimedia, SL.
This is the latest of a number of major changes initiated by Sam Pemberton since he took over as CEO of the Softel Group in July 2007. As part of a comprehensive re-structure of the company, Pemberton is leading a fundamental strategic shift, re-focusing the Softel Group on its core competencies around ancillary data solutions.
“We were approached by a number of potential purchasers,” says Pemberton. “But we felt Brainstorm was by far the best choice for our customers going forward. Aston Broadcast has a long standing relationship with Brainstorm and they are intimately familiar with the product, and crucially Brainstorm has a history of providing exceptional service to their customers and delivering pioneering solutions.”
“We are very proud to have provided blue-chip broadcasters and premier signage companies with the Aston 7 system over the past several years and it is clear that ‘A7’ has proven to be a sophisticated, yet intuitive and robust solution for broadcast and display graphics.” Pemberton says. “We know that the nuances of the graphics market require true focus, and we are delighted that Brainstorm will add their in-depth market know-how to the Aston offering.”
Pemberton pointed out that the broadcast industry is going through exciting technical and business shifts at the moment and that the Softel Group is working with broadcasters to ensure that new business models and ecosystems can cope with the challenges of ancillary data throughout the transition to multi-format, multi-platform delivery.
“As the industry adapts to a decrease in traditional linear advertising, iTV applications such as interactive advertisements (iADs) are becoming increasingly important as they allow broadcasters to pocket critical incremental revenues and differentiate their brands, he says. “Moreover, modern subtitling systems open a wider audience for programming through language translation and by allowing hearing impaired viewers to engage with content.”
The Softel Group has more than 25 years of experience in providing ancillary data — such as interactive TV (iTV), opt cuing/ad insertion, subtitling & captioning — solutions across the world to leading broadcasters and service providers. The divestment of Aston Broadcast will allow the Softel Group to deliver additional strategic focus to this quickly expanding market. The firm is launching a range of new and overhauled products to cater to major trends in the industry such as the moves toward automated and tapeless environments.
“Brainstorm is very proud to acquire such a prestigious brand in the world of video graphics” says Ricardo Montesa, CEO of Brainstorm Multimedia. “Aston’s products are known in the market to be technically excellent as well as extremely user friendly. The Aston 7, which is already powered by Brainstorm’s powerful graphics engine eStudio, is an excellent addition to Brainstorm’s product range, providing us with a sophisticated solution for the character generation requirements of our current and future clients. We are very pleased
that Aston Broadcast staff will join the Brainstorm Multimedia team to deliver a seamless transition for the incumbent customer base. We look forward to continuing and accelerating the roll-out of the Aston 7 and to continuing the development of the product so that it becomes a seamless part of the Brainstorm product range.”
For more information visit www.brainstorm.es.
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